American Atheists says removing faith codes denies equal protections
American AtheistsCivil rights organization, issuing a statement by legal director Geoffrey T. Blackwell
In a statement by legal director Geoffrey Blackwell, American Atheists says removing nonreligious codes denies service members equal opportunities to seek protections and accommodations.
“These changes deny nonreligious members of our armed forces the opportunity to seek the same protections available to their theistic comrades.”
Official statement
Other statements by American Atheists in this case
Where this statement fits
Hegseth cuts military religious affiliation codes from over 200 to 31; American Atheists and Interfaith Alliance object
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the military's more than 200 faith codes were impractical and has cut them to 31. Interfaith Alliance and American Atheists say the change elevates one worldview and leaves out minority beliefs; American Atheists has sued for the records.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
American Atheists announces a records request about the code changes and issues its legal director's response.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The organization announces a records request about how the military selected the new codes.
After the quotation
Blackwell says nontheistic beliefs do not remove rights to recognition, meetings or accommodations, and questions whether the chaplains board was consulted.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference is the removal of military faith codes. The organization expressly criticizes the change as denying nonreligious personnel equal protections.
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More from this case
Read the full caseKaylor and Fuzy criticize exclusions in the revised Pentagon faith-code list
“The administrative excommunication of these traditions with round two not only creates new problems but also underscores the problems with the coding scheme.”Read statement
Lee objects to the Pentagon's treatment of Latter-day Saints
“The Pentagon shouldn’t disparage the beliefs of Americans willing to die for their country”Read statement
Glasse says removing minority-faith codes erases service members
“It erases us, and so many of us have served so proudly, so well, and so honorably.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "American Atheists says removing faith codes denies equal protections". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/7925-in-a-statement-by-legal-director-geoffrey-blackwell